Canalside Community Food

Permaculture Design Course

2011-05-31T03:11:00.000-07:00

This course will be based at Canalside site for its duration, with design projects at Canalside as well as other locations nearby. Participants will gather from 5pm on Friday 15th, with the course starting properly on Saturday 16th and finishing on Thursday 28th July. Further details below; a full course description is available from cazingall@gmail.com

'During this internationally recognised certificate course we shall cover every major topic in Bill Mollison's Permaculture: A Designer's Manual. Living simply on the land we will be building community and experiencing new ways of connecting with each other and creatively solving problems together.

'Accompanied by film evenings/skill shares to extend the learning, this course offers life changing new ways to positively engage with the communities and landscapes around us. An outline of topics includes:
- Philosophies and Ethics underlying permaculture
- Permaculture principals and how they shape things in general
- Patterns in Nature and how to use that in design; methods of design; how to go from a damaged piece of land to having an idea for how to move forward with it
- Climatic factors and how to work with them
- Trees, forests and why we want to mimic their systems
- Water: catchment, usage, importance and conservation
- Soil, minerals, micro-organisms, building new soil and conservation
- Permaculture Gardening
- Earthworks: How to shape the land to help it achieve the goals we are aiming for
- Aquaculture, utilising water for high efficiency production
- Natural Building
- Alternative systems: community living, and other ways of choosing to live differently that work well for people and the planet

'Fast paced and intensive, yet creative and dynamic, the course breaks away from traditional education and is an inclusive and collective learning journey! With plenty of 'hands on' practical learning to back up the class studies, this course is fun and engaging for all, whether you are new to Permaculture of wishing to extend your skills.

'On completion of this course you can practise as a Permaculture designer or go onto further studies on accredited courses.

'£420 Certificate Course including 12 days camping and organic food.

'For more details see www.integralpermanence.org or email for information pack integralpermanence@gmail.com'

Music session on 15 May / Bring Back Folkwaves Campaign

2011-05-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

There will be a traditional music session next Sunday 15 May at the Prince of Wales pub in Moseley. All musicians are welcome to come along and share a few tunes. More information on our website www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music/musicsession.htm

If you want to help bring back the popular Folkwaves programme, presented for over 25 years by Mick Peat and Lester Simpson on BBC Radio Derby, now is your chance. Over 1,000 signatures have been collected so far on a petition for presentation to BBC Local Radio Management to show the tremendous support from East Midland BBC licence payers - but the larger the petition the better. If you would be willing to collect signatures, please download a copy of the petition from www.tradartsteam.co.uk/folkwaves.html, get all your friends to sign it, and send it back to Bring Back Folkwaves Campaign, Prospect Cottage, Upper Lea, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5GR

All the best - Pam

--
PAM BISHOP

Traditional Arts Team
19 Springfield Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DU

tel 0121 247 3856
pam@tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk
Monthly magazine.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

Community allotment in need of volunteers

2011-05-16T02:55:00.001-07:00

Judy Steele says:
We have a fantastic allotment in Lillington at Black Lane and are looking for volunteers to help to maintain it. There are families who are keen to come with children, but are unable to give the time to the preparation needed. We grow mostly fruit and vegetables and have a large polytunnel for tomatoes and cucumbers.
If you can help please get in touch with:

Judy Steele
judy@dmac.co.uk
South Warwickshire Local Food cic
01926 887119
07786 137770
Please leave a phone message if you can't get through, or use text or email, as I may not be able to answer immediately.

Canalside features in CPRE report looking at local food webs in Kenilworth

2011-05-09T05:15:00.000-07:00

As part of the Big Lottery funded 'Making Local Food Work' programme reports, mapping local food webs in 6 locations in England, have been produced by CPRE - the Campaign to Protect Rural England. Kenilworth was one of the locations studied and Canalside features in a case study, with quotes from our two Kenilworth veg members.

This is the summary of the report. To download it as a PDF, copy and paste the link below to go to the CPRE website.

Kenilworth, a small, relatively prosperous market town, demonstrates a promising, yet not too extensive, food web. Recently, redevelopment of the town centre introduced the first Waitrose in Warwickshire alongside other national chain shops and food outlets. These co-exist with a variety of small, traditional outlets including a butcher, greengrocer, baker, delicatessen, farm shops and a weekly retail market, which offers some local food. Over 30 outlets are servicing public demand for locally sourced food coming from over 75 producers. Many of the independent outlets selling local food were found to help raise awareness among customers of where their food comes from and how it is produced. Food outlets provide valuable local jobs with, we estimate over 175 jobs at outlets in the study area and a further 580 at local suppliers supported by sales into the town. Local food sales in Kenilworth amount to an estimated £3.2 to £7.5 million annually.

http://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-do/farming-and-food/local-foods/update/item/1660-our-new-research-shows-the-value-of-local-food-webs

Canalside Barn Dance, Sat 9th July - ticket now on sale!

2011-05-09T05:00:00.000-07:00

Summer is in the air and that means our Barn Dance is on the horizon, with July 9th fast approaching! Tickets are now on sale!

Make your way to Gaia, or leave your order with payment by cash or cheque (payable to Canalside Community Food Ltd) in my blue pigeon hole in the yurt.
Adults: £8, £6 Canalside members
Children under 12 free

Free camping available on-site to anyone who is attending.

It was a fab night last year, and I have high expectations for an equally good night this year.
Ali

Amnesty International - collectors needed

2011-04-14T03:33:00.000-07:00

A request from Xandra - one of our Canalside members:

We have been given permission to collect money on behalf of Amnesty International on the following dates:
Leamington Centre – Saturday 7 MAY – Organiser Xandra Gilchrist
Warwick Centre – Saturday 14 MAY – Organisers Denise Fowler and Simon Lieberman
Kenilworth Centre – Saturday 21 MAY- -Organiser Barbara Jones

If you could spare an hour [2 would be a bonus!] please contact me indicating which town and any preferred times:
xandrajmgilchrist@gmail.com Tel:07796948211/01926315823

STORYTELLING CAFE and TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM NEWS

2011-04-14T03:27:00.000-07:00

April 2011
www.TradArtsTeam.co.uk

We have something for everyone in April including a music training workshop

Mondays 7:30
STORYTELLERS STUDIO in Birmingham
Weekly storytelling training, rehearsal and performance opportunities with BIRMINGHAM VOICES
Contact 0121 247 7607 or email info@tradartsteam.co.uk for more info

Sunday 17 April, 8pm
Traditional Music Session
Prince of Wales, Moseley, B13 8EE
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

Wednesday 20 April 7:30
Birmingham Storytelling Cafe
GRAHAM LANGLEY & AMANDA SMITH - Heroes All
Kitchen Garden Cafe
Tickets £7.00 from KG Cafe, 0121 443 4725
Doors 6:30 for delicious food and drink
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Birmingham-Storytelling-Cafe.html

Wednesday 27 April 8:00
Tales and Ales Storytelling session
Lamp Tavern, 157 Barford Street, Birmingham B5 6AH
Share stories in one of Birmingham’s finest real ale pubs
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/tales-and-ales.html

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. It receives support from Arts Council England.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

Barn dance in Kings Heath this Saturday 26 March!

2011-03-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, 26 March, there will be a Barn Dance with Cuckoo's Nest at All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Road, Birmingham B14 7RA. Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol. Doors open at 7:30, dancing starts at 8pm.

If you don't know how to do English country dancing, you will soon learn, as the caller will explain the steps before the music starts and will remind you what to do next - it is great fun, even if you get it wrong! Our caller this weekend is the fabulous Jo Freya of Blowzabella and Token Women Fame - so you will be in for a really good time.

Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873

This dance is organised jointly with All Saints Centre - more details at
http://www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

We look forward to seeing you there!

--

Traditional Arts Team
19 Springfield Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DU

tel 0121 247 3856
pam@tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team is supported by Arts Council England

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM MUSIC NEWS MARCH 2011

2011-03-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

www.TradArtsTeam.co.uk

Here are a few music and dance events coming up shortly. For more information click through to our website.

Traditional Music Session
Sunday 20 March, 8-10pm
Prince of Wales, Alcester Road, Moseley, Birmingham, B13 BEE
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

Moseley Village Band
Thursdays 24 March, 14 April, 7:30 to 9:15
St Columba's Church Hall, corner of Chantry Road, Birmingham B13 8D
All musicians welcome, £3 per session (first session free)
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Moseley-Village-Band.html

Barn Dance with Cuckoo's Nest, caller Jo Freya
Saturday 26 March, 8-11pm
A social event for all the family, and for all ages and backgrounds. If you don’t know how to do English country dancing, you will soon learn, as Jo will explain the steps before the music starts and will remind you what to do next – it is great fun, even if you get it wrong! Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol. Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

Traditional Song Session
Thursday 7 April, 8-10pm
Kitchen Garden Café, York Road, B14 7SA
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/song-sessions.html

Newfoundland Tunes Workshop
Sunday 10 April, 1pm to 4pm
mac, Cannon Hill Park
As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. Presented in partnership with Wren Music and mac - there will be a full Shore to Shore concert in the evening. Tickets £12 (£10 for those holding concert tickets) from mac or call 0121 446 3232
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. It receives support from Arts Council England.

More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

FOOD INSPIRATION ALERT - food events in Oxford this week

2011-03-16T05:58:00.000-07:00

The following food events are happening this week as part of Conversations with the Earth, Community Festival in East Oxford at the Old Bookbinders, Green Street, Oxford. See full programme below and www.wix.com/conversationsearth/festival (Please copy and paste link - thanks, Ali)

Would appreciate you emailing your food & agriculture tribe to publicise these inspiring food related events ..

thursday march 17th
TOWARDS FOOD SOVEREIGNTY with Michel Pimbert
7.30-10 pm at the Old Bookbinders, Green Street, East Oxford
Michel Pimbert, IIED Food and Agriculture Programme & InsightShare
How do we protect agro-biodiversity? How can international organisations contribute and what are the implications for local communities? A talk about projects in Mali, Iran and India followed by videos made by Andean community members.

saturday march 19th
FEED THE SOIL, FEED THE PLANET with the Ecology of Food Tribe
2.30 - 5.30pm
Share ideas and experiences through making collages and conversation to explore a lively food culture which honours the earth.
A Convivium within a Soil Shrine to savour a taste for change with Miche Fabre Lewin, Flora Gathorne - Hardy, Johnnie Letts, Nick Saltmarsh and friends to celebrate food, soil and community.

Join us before at noon for a nourishing Deep Soup Ceremony celebrating local organic food producers, soil and community.

Trust you can make some of these gatherings.
love
miche and flora

Potato and Parsnip Dauphinoise recipe

2011-03-10T08:06:00.000-08:00

Here's another recipe, this time from Galina, one of our veg members. A different way of using some of those staples we're so reliant on at this time of year!

Thanks Galina!

Potato and Parsnip Dauphinoise recipe
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:
1kg potatoes, thinly sliced
450g parsnips, thinly sliced
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
50g/4 tbsp butter
125g Gruyere or Cheddar cheese, grated
fresh nutmeg, grated
salt and pepper
300ml/1.25 cups single cream
300ml/1.25 cups milk

Method:
1. Set oven to 180 Celsius and grease a large shallow oven dish.
2. Layer the potatoes with the onion and parsnips. In between each layer, dot the vegetables with garlic and butter, sprinkle over most of the cheese, add the nutmeg and season well.
3. Heat the cream and milk together in a saucepan until it is hot but not boiling. Slowly pour over the veg.
4. Scatter remaining cheese over and grate a little more nutmeg on top. Bake about an hour until tender and golden.

Galina says, "I also sometimes add my own spices with the seasoning, like curry powder for example."

Winter vegetable storage tips

2011-03-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Potatoes
- need to be kept in the dark to prevent green patches forming, which are toxic when eaten raw
- best kept in a cloth or paper bag in a cool, dry place

Dry alliums - i.e. onions/garlic
- best kept in a paper or cloth bag
- best kept in a cool, dry place, such as a cupboard or garage

Uncut squash
- store in a moderate temperature

Salad and other leaves
- best kept in a plastic bag in the fridge or very cool place such as the garage

Everything else - carrots and other roots, leeks, cut squash
- as a general rule keep in plastic to preserve humidity or paper/cloth to reduce
- they all need somewhere cool to cold

Additional, more detailed information on this website:
http://www.vegetableexpert.co.uk/RefrigerationAndColdStorage.html
Please copy and paste as HTML linking isn't working.

Pumpkin/squash curry recipe

2011-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

Xandra, one of our veg share members has sent me this recipe for this delicious sounding curry - she thought you might find it useful if you want some ideas for using squash, especially as there will be squash in the share this week!

Thanks Xandra!

Pumpkin/squash curry recipe

Ingredients:

onion - chopped
garlic.ginger} fresh or frozen
chillies frozen or fresh
tomato 1or 2 chopped
squash or pumpkin chopped into chunks
chickpeas
spinach
salt
garam masala 1 teaspoon
cumin seeds or powder 1 teaspoon
turmeric 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon

Method
Fry the chopped onion in a little olive oil and little butter until
onion starts to brown. Add garlic and ginger and chillies. Add cumin
seeds. Add tomatoes. Add the dry spices - if the mixture is dry and
sticking add a tiny amount of water. You should have a sort of pasty
mixture. Add squash and let it cook for a few minutes. Add chickpeas
and spinach and cook until squash is tender. Don't add any more water
as there will be plenty from the spinach. If you want the dish to be
dry cook without a lid as the lid will just keep in the water from the
spinach.

Nicole Foss: 'We Need Freedom of Action To Confront Peak Oil' from You Tube

2011-02-28T15:52:00.000-08:00

Hi folks,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvoFJsqF1wQ&feature=related (Please copy and paste to see this as I can't get an HTML link to show up. Ali)

I wanted to forward this link to you all, because what Nicole has been speaking about for several years now is -

1) So pertinent to what Canalside is doing.

And -

2) So clear-seeing about the reasons why the team who now have Canalside airborne, and are flying it higher as fast as they can go, are doing exactly the right thing. When you're slogging grimly through the winter mud and cold, and wondering why you're breaking your back for little pay, you need to be reassured as much as ever possible that this is precisely the right thing to be doing, to prepare as well as maybe for the unprecedented upheavals and crises which are already happening, and which, assuredly, will get much fiercer over this next decade. This is, quite literally, a matter of life and death for many people just a little way down the line; like it was in Soviet Russia after 1989.

May I asks whoever first fields this email to tell and show it around the Leasowe Farm people -- and of course all the sharers who want to see it -- as much as you can. Thanks.

Rhisiart Gwilym (Canalside veg share member)

Squash tips

2011-02-22T04:26:00.000-08:00

I froze some chopped up Crown Prince squash raw (my own garden one actually). Opinion on the internet was divided about whether it would work or not, or whether it should be cooked before freezing. I roasted it from frozen and it was fine. Thought it might be useful for some of the members to know.

Also, very impressed with the quality of the celeriac and swedes. Where can you get an English organic celeriac as late as this and how on earth much would it cost?
Judy

Part-time grower post at Canalside

2011-02-07T03:22:00.000-08:00

Still time to get an application in! The deadline is on Friday 11th February.

Details on earlier post:
http://canalsidecommunityfood.blogspot.com/2011/01/job-opportunity-at-canalside-for-part.html
Please email Ali on mail@canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk for full job description, or to send CV and covering letter.

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM - DANCE NEWS

2011-02-07T03:19:00.000-08:00

Keep an eye on our new website, check out your favourite event and then have a little look round the rest of the site to see what else is going on.

Barn Dance with Cuckoos Nest and caller Jo Freya
------------------------------------------------
Sat 26 March, All Saints Church Hall, Vicarage Road Birmingham B14 7RA
Doors open at 7:30, dancing starts at 8pm
Food and light refreshments available but unlicensed, so bring your own alcohol.
Tickets £7 (children £3.50) from 0121 246 9873
More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=160

Newfoundland Dance Tunes workshop
---------------------------------
And for the musicians among you, here's advance notice of an afternoon workshop on 10 April at mac, Birmingham. As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. We're organising this event with Wren Music and mac. Tickets are £12, and there's more info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM - MUSIC NEWS, FEBRUARY 2011

2011-02-07T03:18:00.001-08:00

Keep an eye on our new website, check out your favourite event and then have a little look round the rest of the site to see what else is going on.

Moseley Village Band has its February meetings on Thursday 10th and Thursday 24th from 7:30 to 9:15pm at St Columba's Church Hall, Alcester Road, Moseley. If you play an instrument, particularly a bass line instrument (tuba, trombone, bass clarinet, cello, double bass), why not come along and give it a try? More info and photos at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/Moseley-Village-Band.html

There will be a traditional music session on Sunday 21 January at the Prince of Wales pub in Moseley. All musicians are welcome to come along and share a few tunes. More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music-sessions.html

And here's advance notice of an afternoon workshop on 10 April at mac, Birmingham. As a part of their Shore to Shore tour, Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Paynes will lead musicians in the playing of Newfoundland dance tunes and the steps that go with them. We're organising this event with Wren Music and mac. Tickets are £12, and there's more info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk/calendar.html?a=viewevent&id=161

Job opportunity at Canalside for part-time grower

2011-01-17T08:14:00.000-08:00

Canalside Community Food, a pioneering CSA based outside Leamington Spa, is looking for a new part-time grower to join our team, producing organic veg for over 110 members every week.

The role will be a supporting one and involves working with the head grower and Canalside manager. Experience of field scale veg production, both outdoors and in protected cropping, is ideally preferred.

The applicant will need to be flexible with their time during the week and throughout the seasons. Hours are negotiable but 3 to 4 days a week will be required from March until October dropping to 1 day a week in the winter months. £8.50 per hour (with a view to increasing this over time).

Email Ali on mail@canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk for more details and a full job description.
- Application deadline – 11th February.
- Interviews in late February to start mid-March or as soon as possible thereafter.

Transition Town Leamington Poetry and Music Evening

2011-01-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Saturday January 22nd at 7.30 pm

Newbold Comyn Arms, Newbold Terrace East,
Leamington Spa CV32 4EU
opposite the Leisure Centre, www.newboldcomynarms.co.uk 01926-338810 - "The House" (not the stables bar )

Featuring:
George - the eco-poet
Graham and Stuart - the blues players
Mota Singh - the voice of the Punjab
The Eco-worriers
and more…

Entrance is free
Come and enjoy yourselves and celebrate the depths of winter

Any queries contact Gitta Ashworth on 01926-316703
birgittaashworth@yahoo.co.uk

Transition Town Leamington Permaculture Course and Film Showings

2011-01-14T12:39:00.000-08:00

Sat 29th + Sun 30th Jan
Introduction to Permaculture
“Designing a Sustainable Future”
9 am – 5 pm @ Sydni Centre, Sydenham, CV32 1PT
This 2 day introductory course is an excellent way to find out more about permaculture & provide an opportunity to actively learn about the principles
and methods of regenerative design.
Richard Perkins dynamically incorporates hands-on activities, co-operative discussion and lecture story-telling. A design exercise will focus on the Sydni Centre Community Garden.
Students are left with tangible and practical ways to creatively respond to global challenges humanity faces today, and how to benefit their community & eco-system through Permaculture Design.
This broad and interactive weekend will clarify exactly what Permaculture Design is,
and will leave you understanding clearly how you can effect positive change in your life and community.
Booking fee £12. Contact Juliet Carter on 01926 421467

Also : FREE double bill film showing of :
“A Farm for the Future” &
“Power of Community: How Cuba survived Peak Oil”
Fri 28th Jan 7pm start @ Sydni Centre

Job opportunity in Torbay

2011-01-13T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hello ‘One Planet Food Project’ friends,

I would like to share with you all some exciting training opportunities on the ‘One Planet Food Project’ at Occombe Farm ....

We are looking for 3 enthusiastic and dedicated horticulture trainees to assist in the continuing development and running of the One Planet Food Project, a three year project which aims to provide the people of Torbay with local food, and the knowledge to grow their own. This opportunity involves working with the head grower to produce vegetables in the established Community Garden, and expand the project through the development of a Community Supported Agriculture Scheme. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and the local community, providing mutual benefits and reconnecting people to the land where their food is grown. In addition to the hands-on experience you will gain, there is also the opportunity to undertake a Level 2 work-based Diploma in Horticulture, with Duchy College. You will be based at Occombe Farm, which is open to the public and home to a thriving farm shop and a cafe, nature trail, and a busy education centre. Placements will run from March to December.

TRAINING ALLOWANCE: £50 per week (plus caravan accommodation). Lump sum of £360 on completion of placement

TRAINING BUDGET: £500

RESPONSIBLE TO: Head Grower

WORKING HOURS: 37 hours per week

DURATION OF PLACEMENT: 36 weeks (starting beginning of March)

Closing date for applications: 3 February 2011
Interviews: Week commencing 14 February 2011

For an application pack visit http://www.occombe.org.uk/mainintro.cfm?id=349
or call 01803 606035

Please forward onto anyone you think maybe interested.

Many thanks,
Best wishes,

Emily Vevers

Grower

One Planet Action... a seasonal celebration

2010-11-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

Saturday 4 December
7 til 11
at the
Dormer Conference Centre,
Dormer Place,
Leamington Spa. CV32 5AA
Including children¹s entertainment, performance poetry, acoustic
sounds, low carbon arts, fun and games.
Entry fee £3 payable on the door.
Vegetable soup and dhal will be available with flat bread.
Please bring drink and further contributions of food,
labelling food which is vegetarian / vegan.
Book by email: events@sparks-slc.co.uk
Call or text Derrick on 07812 795537

Burma VJ screening

2010-11-01T15:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Canalside,

I am writing to you because, as part of Transition Towns, I know that you hold good produce and ethical production to be very important: I work with very different "produce". I am a member of Amnesty International, a leading worldwide organisation that deals with human rights issues. We campaign for freedom in many different countries, and the campaign that my school group is focusing on at the moment is Burma. In this case, the "produce" is democracy. The people of Burma have been ruled by a military junta for many years, and after the horrific events of 1988 and 2003, continue to call for democracy, freedom and an end to military rule. The first general elections in 20 years have been scheduled for early November, and this makes it a key time for campaigning. It is important for the international community to place pressure on the government to ensure it adheres to human rights standards it has previously flouted.

With this in mind, I am organising a screening of the film "Burma VJ" by renowned film-maker Anders Osterngaard. This film shows the events of the Saffron Revolution of 2003 through the eyes of the courageous video journalists who documented it and risked death and torture to get the footage out of Burma. It is an inspiring story which has won numerous awards. The screening at Gaia Foodstore (Leamington Spa) is scheduled for Wednesday 3rd November, from approximately 7:30 to 9:00, and I would be very grateful if you could publicise this as much as possible, and attend yourself. Snacks and chai will be available and entry to the screening is just 2 pounds. All money raised will go to Amnesty International.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Yours faithfully,
Amardeep Singh Dhillon (16)

Job vacancies at Action 21

2010-09-01T12:17:00.000-07:00

Action 21 now has two vacancies, for a Shop Manager and a Bike Projects Co-ordinator.

The details are available on their website at www.action21.co.uk/work_for_us

Traditional music events - September

2010-08-28T15:25:00.001-07:00

From the Traditional Arts Team:

Hope you all had a good summer break and are looking forward to lots of music activities in the autumn!

On Sunday 5 September there's a free tune arranging workshop with Louisa Davies and Peter Churchill of the band Elfynn at the Bulls Head from 11am to 12:30pm. They will teach a simple tune and then look at ways of making it more interesting, exploring rhythms, chords, instrumentation and harmony. Suitable for all instruments including percussion - bring your instruments along! This is part of the Moseley Folk Festival but you don't need a festival ticket for the workshop.

On Sunday 12 September the Moseley Village Band will be playing from 2:00-2:30pm at the Waterhall Gallery in Birmingham as part of ArtsFest. This group of musicians meets twice a month to make music together and explore the style and repertoire of the English village music tradition. We welcome all musicians to our meetings at St Columba's Church Hall in Moseley at 7:30pm on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

The next traditional music session will be at 8pm on Sunday 19 September at the Prince of Wales pub, Alcester Road, Birmingham B13 8EE, when all are welcome to enjoy playing and listening to English, Scottish & Irish folk music and song.

And if you like dancing to traditional music, there will be a ceilidh with live music from Cuckoo's Nest, caller Alex McClure at 8pm on Saturday 18 September at the Holy Name Parish Centre, 9 Cross Lane, Great Barr, Birmingham, B43 6LN. Tickets £6 from Val Comery 0121 358 2502

Best wishes - Pam

--
PAM BISHOP

Traditional Arts Team
19 Springfield Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
B14 7DU

tel 0121 247 3856
pam@tradartsteam.co.uk

The Traditional Arts Team runs activities in the Midlands relating to traditional song, music, storytelling and dance, and publishes the Folk Monthly magazine. More info at www.tradartsteam.co.uk

Who is doing what, where and how in the Midlands folk scene? Make your views known via www.folkmonthlysurvey.info Reply early and be entered into a fabulous prize draw to win tickets to the Moseley Folk Festival!

The Traditional Arts Team is supported by Arts Council England

Sustainability Centre - official launch

2010-08-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

The official launch of Leamington’s Sustainability Centre will be held on Saturday 11th September at 12.30. The centre and garden will be open to the public between 12 noon and 3pm that day.

The Sustainability Centre is at East Lodge, Jephson Gardens, Willes Road, Leamington Spa, CV32 4ER.

Acappella Songs to stir the soul

2010-08-19T02:09:00.000-07:00

A singing workshop led by Sarah Pennington and Gilo

10:30-4:30, Sat 9 Oct, Unitarian Chapel, High St, Warwick (CV34 4AX)

A harmony singing workshop featuring beautiful sacred songs from different traditions and cultures around the globe: Shape note, Taize, Iona, Harmonic Temple, simple native chants, rousing gospel, and much more.

Gilo & Sarah have been teaching together since 2002 and have built up an enthusiastic following in Dorset and far beyond. They quickly create a safe and fun atmosphere and meld a group into a community of singers for the day. There will be plenty of gentle humour and a patient, sensitive teaching style. No need to read music or think of yourself as a singer: just bring your voice and a smile! The emphasis will be on harmony and simplicity, stillness and celebration, creating angelic sounds to summon up warmth and wonder.

All the songs and chants on this workshop will be taught “by ear”.

Cost for the day £24 Please bring some food for a shared lunch.
******* only £20 if full payment is made by end of August ******
Book by sending a cheque (payable to “Bruce Knight”), to 14 Kennan Ave, Leamington Spa, CV31 3HY. This will reserve your place. For more info, ring 01926 778454, or email bruceknight.voice@virgin.net Places are limited – our workshops normally sell out, so early booking is advised. Please include an SAE if you’d like confirmation and / or directions

Small is... festival, 4th-5th September 2010

2010-08-06T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Canalside Friends,

I would like to invite you all to Practical Action’s (www.practicalaction.org.uk) second Small is… Festival on September 4-5th 2010. The Small is… Festival is a celebration and evolution of the ideas of “Small is Beautiful”, written by our founder, E.F. Schumacher in 1970, but which still has profound significance today. The weekend event provides a space to share skills, learn about technologies, create networks, develop ideas and to be inspired about international development, sustainability and the planet. It is held in our beautiful, rural office grounds in Bourton on Dunsmore, the Leamington side of Rugby.

The first Small is… Festival in 2009 was a great success! We hope to recreate the wonderful participatory feel of last year, including the fun but productive atmosphere, the open debates, the lively networking and exchange sessions, and the international feel – but with local food and hospitality very evident. Some of the many things you can look forward to are:

· Keynote speaker: Andrew Simms, New Economic Foundation – a very interesting and entertaining speaker on why happiness is more important than economic growth, and what to do about it.

· Debate: What’s the best way to reduce carbon emissions – global, national or local strategies? With Mark Lynas (author of Six Degrees), Molly Scott Cato and Shaun Chamberlin (author of Transition Timeline).

· Workshops: make your own rocket stove; waste art activities for kids; wind turbine and micro-hydro demonstrations; learn about making tin can batteries; play interactive board games; find out about compost toilets.

· Networking and exchange: what are Transition Towns?; how to get a job in international development; who is doing what on sustainable building;

· Straw Bale Solar Cinema: films about Schumacher and much more…

There is overnight camping and great evening entertainment Friday and Saturday nights. So book your place now on our website www.smallisfestival.org (booking is essential so that we know numbers for catering and event licensing purposes).

If you would like to help out in any way, e.g. by offering to give a talk or run a workshop then that would be fabulous. Also if you have a spare marquee or large tent you can offer for the weekend we would be overjoyed! We are running the event on a shoestring and those things are really expensive to hire!

If you want to know any more or offer help then please get in touch with Canalside members Kath Pasteur or Steven Hunt at Practical Action (small_is@practicalaction.org.uk)

Thanks

Kath

Katherine Pasteur
International Programme Coordinator - Reducing Vulnerability
Direct tel: 01926 634465

Practical Action is an international development agency working with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives today and for generations to come. www.practicalaction.org.uk

Practical Action
The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development,
Bourton on Dunsmore,
Rugby,
Warwickshire, UK,
CV23 9QZ
Tel: +44 - 01926 634400
Fax: +44 - 01926 634401
www.practicalaction.org

Energy Field Healing at Zoe's Garden Party

2010-07-21T04:36:00.001-07:00

How can Energy Field Healing help you?

We’ll be at Zoe’s Garden Party on Saturday
so why not pop down and have a chat,
or try a 30 minute cleansing session for only £20,
includes free goodie bag.

Sat 24th July 12pm – 4pm
Pump Room Gardens, L’spa

For more information or to book your session call Jane on 07966 533556
Places limited so please call to avoid disappointment.

Ranger with Action 21

2010-07-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

Dear all,

Action 21 is now recruiting for the post of Ranger, to work in the prestigious Jephson Gardens in Leamington Spa. More details can be found at www.action21.co.uk/work_for_us. Please do pass this information on to anyone who may be interested.

Kind regards,
Eleanor

Eleanor Perkins
Marketing and General Assistant
Action 21
eleanor@action21.co.uk
01926 453031

Taking practical steps towards a greener future

www.action21.co.uk

Support urban wildlife and adopt a bee: www.action21.co.uk/adopt_a_bee

Heartbreak productions on the road this summer

2010-07-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

Dear All

I hope the summer is treating you well and that a holiday is in sight!

Just wanted to flag up that “The Secret Garden”, “An Ideal Husband” and “Love in Shakespeare” are now in their stride and roaming around the various lanes of the UK. They’re all a great night out and I think I can safely say there are no other shows out this summer that are similar…

Midlands dates are:

Ideal – tonight, Grey’s Court, Henley-on-Thames
Love – Wed 21st Brueton Park, Solihull
Love – Sat 24th, Charlecote Park. Warwick
Secret – Sun 1st Aug – Calke Abbey, Derby
Secret Tues/Wed 2nd/3rd Aug – Kenilworth Castle
Secret – Thurs 4th Aug – Waterperry Gardens, Oxford
Love – Sat 7th Aug – Wickhamford Manor, Broadway
Ideal – Sun 15th Aug MK Event Centre, Milton Keynes
Love – Sat/Sun 28/29 Aug – Nottingham Castle

Do visit www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk for further info

To whet your appetite there is a video of snippets from the Leamington show now available to view on our website – follow this link and click on the video box in the bottom right hand side of the screen to play the video - http://www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk/portfolio/category/open-air-theatre

And here are some audience reactions:

"Very inventive & well paced. Excellent ensemble playing. Great to see something different!"

"Very refreshing"

"Still reeling from the Love in Shakespeare . All eleven of us had the best night out we have had in a long time due to this superb play. FAB!"

“a relaxed, funny evening out combining traditional and new drama. Very good”

If you would like me to sort out cheap tickets for you then please either e-mail or text me. It would be great to see you!

With best wishes for happy days
Maddy

Maddy Kerr
Executive Director
Heartbreak
North Hall
Spencer Yard
Royal Leamington Spa
Warwickshire
CV31 3SY

01926 430307
07812 241610

maddy@heartbreakproductions.co.uk
www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk

Grower vacancy at Canalside

2010-07-01T13:10:00.000-07:00

Canalside Community Food, a pioneering CSA based outside Leamington Spa, is looking for a new main grower!

We are seeking an experienced grower to join our team producing organic vegetables throughout the year for our community of over 100 members. We currently have 7 acres of field scale vegetables and 5 polytunnels for protected cropping and planted up a fruit field/forest garden last winter. As well as working with two part-time growers and seasonal workers, the new grower will take a lead role in organising and leading volunteer work mornings and take a role in the overall management and direction of the project.

Full time position desirable, but will consider part-time or job share. £8 per hour (with a view to increasing this over time). See website - www.canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk - for contact details. Email Ali for more details and a full job description.

Application deadline – 31st July. Interviews Fri 6th Aug; visit project and join in with work morning Sat 7th Aug. New grower to start sometime in September.

Master Composter training from Garden Organic

2010-06-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

Hello,

Master Composter training is coming up in Warwickshire on 9/10th July. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer to spread the composting word please contact Caroline Faulkner at Warwickshire County council for more information (carolinefaulkner@warwickshire.gov.uk) or download an application form from the website.

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mastercomposters

Thank you,

Kate Newman
Warwickshire Volunteer Co-ordinator
Master Gardener Programme

Garden Organic
Ryton on Dunsmore
Coventry
CV8 3LG

Master Gardener programme - encouraging and supporting people and communities to grow fruit and vegetables throughout Warwickshire.

--
Growing your own is easy, achievable and rewarding and to prove it Garden Organic is challenging everyone in the UK to make the One Pot Pledge® to give it a grow. First time gardeners, Gardening Gurus, Schools and Community groups are all welcome to join the campaign to get 30,000 more people growing something edible in a pot in 2010. Visit www.onepotpledge.org to get involved.
--
Registered Charity No. 298104. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in Cardiff No. 2188402. Garden Organic is the new working name of the Henry Doubleday Research Association. Ryton Organic Gardens, Coventry, Warwickshire, United Kingdom. CV8 3LG

What to do with all these lovely cauliflowers!

2010-06-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

I know from a conversation I had with a few people in the yurt yesterday that you may be struggling to think of ways to use all the beautiful caulis we've been getting in the share recently! If you've already tried the ideas from Caz's spring/summer recipe sheet, here are a few quick links to some more recipes:

Cauliflower paratha - Indian flatbreads - Fiona mentioned yesterday at our steering group meeting that she had tried a similar recipe
http://www.indiasnacks.com/recipe/324/Gobhi-Paratha-(Cauliflower-Bread).php
Try using oil or melted butter in the dough if you don't have any ghee and ginger powder is always an acceptable substitute for fresh.

Cauliflower chickpea pitta pockets
http://www.vegbox-recipes.co.uk/recipes/cauliflower-recipe-1.php

Roasted cauliflower with cumin and coriander
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetarian-recipes/roasted-cauliflower-with-cumin-coriander

53 recipe ideas from the BBC!!!
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do?keywords=Cauliflower&searchType=recipes

You might also find some inspiration in the folder I've set up in the yurt using recipe sheets I was clearing out - if you look in the spring section you will find a few recipes which use cauliflower, and a number of the recipes in this folder are on the website as well:
http://www.canalsidecommunityfood.org.uk/recipes.html

And don't forget, virtually any stir fry / veggie curry recipe can be adapted by simply using whatever veg you have available.
I'm feeling hungry just thinking about it all!
Happy cooking, Ali

Help raise funds for the restoration of St. Nicholas Church - Radford Semele

2010-06-07T06:15:00.000-07:00

Saturday, 19th June, 7:30 p.m.
The Community Centre, Radford Semele

TO HEAR THE BIRDS SING -
Conversations with my heart

An evening with author Marie Younkin-Waldman
TICKETS £5.00

See more at: www.ToHearTheBirdsSing.com

Marie, who lives and works in Rhode Island, USA, will talk about her life with deafness: growing up, marriage, raising children, studying for her degree, holding down a job hosting an award-winning TV Chat Show and then her dramatic life-changing cochlear implant. Her story will move and inspire you.

Advance sales at:
• The Post Office
• The Village Club
• The Village Stores
• Michael Preston - 22e Southam Road
Tel: 01926 451501

Traditional music session on Sunday 16th May

2010-05-10T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here's a message from Pam, one of our members:

There will be a traditional music session next Sunday 16 May at the
Prince of Wales pub in Moseley. All musicians are welcome to come along and
share a few tunes. More information on our website
www.tradartsteam.co.uk/music/musicsession.htm

Please pass this message on to anyone else you know who might be interested.

Kenilworth Festival on Sunday 16th May 2010

2010-04-17T10:26:00.000-07:00

I recently received this email about the upcoming 'Kenilworth Festival'. Sounds like it could be an enjoyable way to spend a part of the day, especially if you'd like something to keep the younger members of your family busy!
http://kenilworthfestival.co.uk/partyinthepark.htm

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am dropping you a line to let you and your members know about an exciting event happening in Kenilworth.

On Sunday 16th May, the Kenilworth Festival "Party in the Park" will take place in the Abbey Fields, Kenilworth, from 11.30am. The event is a family fun day and admission is free.

We have just secured the BBC's Dig In Tour who will have a 20m pitch at the event. The Dig In tour will be promoting growing your own food and giving away free seeds. In addition, there will be a demonstration tent and an activity tend, along with a Gardener's Question Time, led by a BBC celebrity gardener. Every 20 minutes there will be a different demonstration and there will also be an opportunity to ask questions, swap tips and share recipes - everything from sow, grow, harvest and cook!

The Dig In team would love to see visitors with an interest in gardening who would like to participate in the question time sessions and see the demonstrations. The event is suitable for children too, with a chance to plant seeds and take away pots to plant at home.

Full details of the campaign are available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/digin/on_tour/

The Festival website is www.kenilworthfestival.co.uk

We are one of only 8 tour venues in the UK.

I should be grateful if you will spread the word amongst your members - all of whom would be very welcome at our event.

If you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Julie Thomas
Kenilworth Festival (Marketing & PR)

www.kenilworthfestival.co.uk

Find us on Facebook... follow us on Twitter!

A job opportunity at the Sydni Centre

2010-04-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

Sydenham Neighbourhood Initiatives
Café Manager

Experienced person required to run our community cafe, providing buffets for up to 100 clients and serving hot and cold meals for local people. The successful applicant will need the ability to cook delicious healthy food, manage a busy kitchen and provide a friendly, welcoming atmosphere for the community.

The post is for 37.5 hours pw and attracts a salary of £16,575pa.

Closing date for applications is 26/04/10.

For more information, and to look round, contact Kate Cliffe on 01926 422071 or email manager@sydni.org

A note from the TTL team on their AGM next week...

2009-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

Celebrating and Stepping Forward

Transition Town Leamington's First AGM

8th October, 7pm - 10pm
Oddfellows Hall, 6 Clarence Terrace, Warwick Street, Leamington Spa

*Nominations for Secretary and Treasurer requested in advance by email

Please join us to celebrate how far we have come with Transition Town Leamington and to find out more about how you can get involved. This will not be a boring AGM but a fun and interactive evening of sharing, dreaming and socialising!

*We are strongly encouraging nominations for Secretary and Treasurer to be on the Steering Group in advance of the meeting. Please volunteer yourself or nominate someone else by emailing Kath by the 8th October at kath@pasteur.net (let the person know you are nominating them and copy them in please).

These are the only two elected positions. Other members of the Steering Group are representatives of the TTL Working groups (transport, communications, energy etc).

the Treasurer's role is to manage accounts and keep receipts, and will be one of the three signatories on cheques. We don't have much money so this shouldn't be hard!
the Secretary's role is to ensure that regular meetings are called, minuted and the minutes shared on the website. They do not have to do these activities, just ensure they are done! They will be the second signatory on cheques.

Neither are arduous tasks, but it would be great to have a Treasurer with accounting experience.

Look forward to meeting/seeing you next Thursday!

Work party needed for Action21 project!

2009-09-24T04:07:00.000-07:00

The Dobson Lane Allotments

Ground Clearance Work Party

Friday 25th September, 9,30am - 4.30pm

Work is finally starting to happen on the Allotments at Dobson Lane! Action21 needs your help, in clearing the brambles and debris on site - this is in preparation for getting the land ploughed and then plotted into allotments.

Please come along to asssist staff, directors and other volunteers, and you can also register your interest in an allotment on the day. It should be a fun day and a good chance to find out about the vision for the allotment development.

Hot drinks will be available throughout the day and a lunch for those who volunteer for the whole day. Please wear old work clothes with long sleeves, long trousers and sturdy footwear. If you have tools such as loppers, rakes and gloves then please bring these along too.

Please note that the allotment site is right at the end of Dobson Lane, adjacent to the cemetery. If you have any questions about the day, please contact Louise Male, the project manager for the allotment restoration (and Canalside member!), on 01926 456076 or louise@action21.co.uk

FREE HARMONY - a'cappella group CD launch

2009-08-20T02:27:00.000-07:00

Free Harmony would like to invite you to the launch of their debut cd

'off the beaten track'

on Sunday August 23rd at Taylor John's House, The Canal Basin, Coventry

from 7.30pm where they will be performing songs from the cd.

Tickets will be £5 on the door and limited signed copies of our cd will be on sale.

Hope to see you there

Love from Free Harmony www.chrishoskins.co.uk/freeharmony.html

The Dervaeses of Pasadena - the story of an inspirational family

2009-08-10T06:44:00.001-07:00

Many of you will know Ali, one of our longest standing workshare volunteers, who has recently taken 6 months out to travel round the world visiting different friends and family. Her first stopover was the States and a couple of weeks ago she sent me the following link to an article about the Dervaeses, a family living in downtown Pasadena doing inspirational things from their very own backyard. Here's a snippet from the article to whet your appetite:

"For the past eight years, the Dervaeses have worked every inch of their 4,356 sq ft garden (including the front drive, which is covered in buckets of strawberries) and have produced more than 6,000lb of fruit and vegetables a year. From this modest tenth of an acre, which wraps around the front and back garden, situated 150 yards away from an 11-lane motorway, the family produce enough food to meet 80 per cent of their dietary needs in summer and 50 per cent in winter (the remainder is anything they can’t grow, such as oil, flour, rice, butter and cheese). They even have enough left over to sell to local restaurants."

Want to read more...? Then click on The Dervaeses for the whole thing. There is also a link in the article to the Dervaeses' own website (pathtofreedom.com) which really does make for amazing reading.

2009-08-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

ORGANIC FOOD FESTIVAL 2009!
September 12th & 13th
at the Bristol Harbourside

"The Organic Food Festival is Europe’s largest showcase of all things organic. Now in its ninth successful year, the Festival demonstrates the growth of the organic movement and the increased recognition of the role organic production can play in creating a sustainable future.

Whether you are in search of delicious organic food and drink, gorgeous skin care, fabulous fashion, organic textiles, home design, tips on organic gardening or you are looking for an entertaining family-friendly outing, this much loved festival is just what you are looking for.

The Organic Food Festival provides the chance to meet producers face to face, watch recession-busting cooking demonstrations, sample street food from Bristol’s top chefs and introduce your kids to special taste workshops designed just for them."

Click here for more information!

2009-06-18T02:38:00.000-07:00

THE GREEN BALL!

Saturday 4th July 2009 at 7.30pm

Gathering at:

27 Milverton Crescent West
Leamington Spa

Carriages at Midnight

Formal or Creative Attire

Glass of Bubbly and Buffet Provided

Please bring a bottle for further enjoyment...

This is a GREEN PARTY fundraiser
Suggested donations:
Generous Benefactor £12
Skint but Supportive £6

For further information, please telephone:
01926 422624
01926 332965

Tom's News from the Field

2009-05-11T04:59:00.000-07:00

May 2009

Since last writing, we’ve come through the Winter and are enjoying a truly splendid Spring. It’s been fairly dry but peppered with rain that has kept the ground workable. Right through March and early April the share was simply bulging at the seams with everything out in the fields desperately needing picking before it went to seed. There’s no holding back at this time of year, it’s a real Spring bounty with last years plants lapping up the warm weather and putting on rapid growth. We therefore saw both varieties of Kale in the share regularly during this time accompanied by some impressive shares of Purple Sprouting Broccoli that we were particularly pleased with.

It’s a nervous time for us growers as we try to juggle the harvesting so as to keep a steady flow of veg in the yurt each week. With crops running out one after another we start to keep a keen eye on all those early crops that we’ve mollycoddled in the polytunnels and outside under the fleece. As well as all this, we had the extra task of fencing our third field from the rabbits before being able to plant out the first Spring Cabbages. But we’ve been able to focus our time much more on the job of growing vegetables this Spring compared to last year when we were erecting the last two polytunnels.

With the Hungry Gap upon us, it’s time to look forward to the crops that are coming on; both the Onions and the Potatoes are progressing very well now with the first early spuds just starting to poke their leaves out of the ridges. The Onions were planted on the Spring Equinox by a large group of volunteers before the Mabon social.

Inside the polytunnels it’s all turning around too; the salads and greens are coming out and the summer crops of Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Peppers and Aubergines are rapidly being planted. In between these crops and in every spare space we’re squeezing in quick successions of radish and oriental leaves to keep us going. Excitingly, the new polytunnels erected last Spring have allowed us space to grow some early Mange Tout Peas that are almost ready to start harvesting and some extra early baby bunched Beetroots too. These are the sort of crops that will hopefully see us through the leaner weeks before June leads us towards the real bounty of Summer!

Storytelling at Gaia...

2009-04-30T05:07:00.000-07:00

The lovely folk at Gaia have recently sent us this poster about a new storytelling evening they are hosting on the last Thursday of every month. Bit late notice for today, but the first one is tonight... Maybe see you there sometime!

The Age of Stupid is coming to the Royal Spa Centre

2009-04-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Well, after the Apollo cinema mysteriously pulled the plug on showing The Age of Stupid back in March, the Leamington Royal Spa Centre has come up trumps and will be showing the film on Sunday 26th and Monday 27th April, at 6pm (for more details, click on the link below).

Whether it sways you or not, apparently even Ken Livingstone was moved to say that "every single person in the country should be forcibly made to watch this film"!

So... if you possibly can, get yourselves down to the Spa Centre in a couple of weeks' time and we'll see you there!

The Age of Stupid at Leamington Royal Spa Centre

US regulation HR875 and its impact on sustainable food systems

2009-04-09T02:48:00.000-07:00

Canalside member and fellow blogger, Elizabeth, recently forwarded on the below link about the new 'Food Safety & Modernization Act of 2009' that was introduced in the USA in February this year. This new proposal (as it still is) seeks to set in place heavy bureaucratic hoops for small producers to jump through, leading to the very likely destruction of small-scale and truly sustainable food production systems such as farmer's markets and CSAs. Cynics will certainly pick up on the point that the woman behind this Act, Rosa Delauro, is married to a political consultant who has worked with Monsanto in the past - need I say more?

We are not in America, so this may well not affect us now, but who's to say this draconian proposal won't find its way across the pond at some point...?

HR875 - The Death of Farmer's Markets, CSAs and Local Food

Master Pasta Event in Lillington

2009-04-09T02:33:00.000-07:00

All welcome to consume or to help at the Action 21/Lillington Fresh Food Group Master Pasta family food event, on Thursday April 16th from 1pm to 3pm at the Youth Centre, Mason Avenue, Lillington (next door to children's centre near library).

Make fresh pasta, cook it and eat it with our sauces, or take away to cook at home.

Blendavenda smoothies too, and lots more…

Tell all your friends!

An Evening of Networking & Delicious Ayurvedic Snacks & Advice...

2009-03-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

You are invited...

On Thursday, 16th April at 7:30 p.m., Michelle Palmer, Holistic Chef and Ayurvedic Health Consultant, and Beth Forster, Editor and Creator of Mosaic Magazine, will host an evening delicious snacks and networking. See below for photographs of dishes.

Come to Michelle's home at 32, Davidson Avenue, Leamington Spa, CV31 1LT, for a satisfying selection of dishes, including chai spice biscuits and chai tea; curried rice with cashews, peas, peppers and sultanas; mixed green vitality salad with citrus vinaigrette; Brussels sprouts with spiced maple pecans; chickpea millet tomato pilaf; spicy masala soup with lentils and veg; and chocolate coconut 'risotto'.

Attendees will also receive Michelle's best tips for a long, healthy life through proper diet and lifestyle, as well as a selection of recipes from dishes served.
There will be enough for everyone to have a satisfying, healthy meal. Any dietary needs can be catered for with advance notice.

This evening is also a great opportunity to meet and mingle with like-minded people for social and business networking around the region, so please bring along your business cards!

All this for just £12. Space is limited, so please RSVP by phoning Michelle Palmer on 07988 848308, or writing to ayurvedachef@gmail.com. Pre-payment is needed in order to supply the meal, so we kindly request that a cheque for £12 be sent to Michelle Palmer at: 32 Davidson Avenue, Leamington Spa, CV31 1LT. If you have any questions about the evening, please do not hesitate to make contact.

About the Hostesses:

Michelle Palmer is a certified Ayurvedic Health Consultant, Yoga Teacher and Life Chef. She is passionate about cooking delicious, healthy food tailored to meet the health objectives of those who eat it. She has run cooking classes, demonstrations, dinner parties and personal chef services for three years in the US and UK. Michelle studied at The Ayurvedic Institute under Dr. Vasant Lad and continues to expand her knowledge of natural health, cooking and yoga through courses around the world. She brings a sense of joy and playfulness to food, as well as rigorous attention to the health benefits and effects of ingredients she uses.

Beth Forster is editor and creator of Mosaic; a community magazine (www.mosaic-lifestyle.com) that brings together green, complementary health, creative, ethical, holistic and spiritual articles to the core of our awareness. She is also co-founder of the Warwickshire Spiritual Network – an open forum for spiritual-minded people to connect and share experiences.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

2009-03-16T01:53:00.000-07:00

The Age of Stupid

The Age of Stupid is a 90-minute film about climate change, set in the future. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking back at 'archive' footage from 2007 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?

Whilst the film had its world premiere in London yesterday, 15th March, the weekend of the 20th, 21st and 22nd of March is monstrously important to the whole future of The Age of Stupid. The length and breadth of the UK theatrical run will literally be determined by the number of bums on seats in cinemas during this opening weekend. The box-office success of these 3 days is crucial to the overall success of everything that happens after this point; overseas cinema groups, TV deals and DVD distribution will all take their lead from what happens during this pivotal weekend.

So... please please please come along on at least one of these days to the Apollo cinema in Leamington to see your local viewing - and take 10 friends along with you too. It's really impossible to overstate how much depends on these 72 short hours!

(If you can't make it over the weekend, be sure to make sure you and everyone you know sees it in the very near future! This film may change all of our lives...)

Tom's News From the Field

2009-03-02T03:13:00.000-08:00

February 2009

Well, with Spring on its way and a bit of time on our hands whilst the fields were covered in snow, we were able to get really stuck into the first full days seed sowing over at Ryton Gardens at the end of February. Danny and I spent a long day in their sowing shed, bench heater angled at our hands, sowing a multitude of seed varieties mainly for early crops to cover the dreaded hungry gap. Amongst these will be Spring Onions, Baby Bunched Beets, Lettuces and Spinach. With some 14,000 seeds sown during the day we certainly left their greenhouse fuller than when we arrived!

It’s certainly approaching that time now when we start to focus on the many tasks of the coming season whilst trying to maintain a steady flow of fresh veg for the share over the leaner months of April/May. Just recently the weather has really warmed up, with several days feeling almost Spring like. This has prompted the drilling of our early Peas and Carrots in the polytunnel.

So what’s to look forward to? Well, we’ve been eagerly awaiting the new season of Purple Sprouting Broccoli for some weeks now and we've finally been able to start putting it in the share as of this week. Also we’ve varieties of Cauliflower due to begin cropping any time now too. The Leeks have begun bulking up and should be in the share for most of the Spring having unfortunately been largely absent in the Winter months. Really it’s a matter of waiting for the warm weather to let everything begin growing again.

Happy feasting folk!

2009-03-02T02:54:00.000-08:00

World Water Day - would you like to get involved?

A new WaterAid campaign and fundraising group is being launched on Saturday 21st March to mark Word Water Day.

WaterAid enables the world's poorest people to gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education. The scale of the problem is enormous:

About 1 in 8 of the world's population do not have access to safe water
Almost two fifths of the people in the world do not have access to adequate safe sanitation
5,000 children die everyday from diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation
It costs only £15 per head to provide lasting safe water, sanitation and hygiene education

WaterAid will have a stall on the Parade in Leamington to raise awareness of their work. The stall will be outside the old Woolworths shop on the Parade, between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 21st March.

Please go along to show your support. James Plaskitt MP and the press will be coming at 10.30am and it would be great to have a large number of people there. Or just turn up whenever you can.

Felix Mindham is organising the event and could do with more help on the stall - so if you would like to help out please give her a ring. She will be doing a couple of briefing sessions on the evenings of Tuesday 3rd March and Thursday 12th March.

If you are interested in getting involved but can't manage the 21st March, there will be plenty of other opportunities.

Thanks!

For further information please contact Felix on:
01926 316429 or 07963 835580

2009-02-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

Palestine Fairtrade for a Sustainable Future

on Wednesday 4th March
The Herbert, Jordan Well, Coventry CV1 5QP at 12.30pm
Bath Place Community Venture, Bath Place, Leamington Spa from 5 - 7 pm

Presentation by Taysir Arabasi, who will demonstrate a positive story for change in Palestine with Fairtrade as the core message. Olive and olive oil production is often the only feasible agricultural activity that can take place on fragile and marginal lands and is a crucial alternative to abandonment or desertification. As a result of the conflict in the region, Palestinian farmers continue to face severe barriers in carrying out their normal day-to-day agricultural activities caused through restrictions on movement and water shortages which exacerbate levels of
deprivation and marginalisation.

Come along and learn more - free admission!

Sponsored by Leamington Spa Fairtrade Steering Group, Bath Place CV,
Gaia Cooperative, One World Link, Barry Johns Greengrocers.

Organic Food & Farming Talk by Ulrich Schmutz

2009-01-21T02:56:00.000-08:00

100% organic food and farming - the future for a post-oil-based farming industry?
A talk by Ulrich Schmutz

Monday February 16th

Ulrich’s career as a researcher in organic farming and horticulture shapes his take on the possibilities – and possibility - of total organic farming. He will draw on several projects he is involved with and other current and published research. He will outline the strength and weaknesses of the organic approach, and look at the fossil-fuel (aka carbon footprint) issue and other environmental economic issues of current conventional food production.

As everybody has to eat, and many grow their own food and even have some farming links, Ulrich is hoping for a lively discussion - as some of his organic-scenario thinking will demand personal lifestyle changes!

Ulrich Schmutz worked at Berlin University in Germany and as farm business consultant in East Germany before joining the HDRA research charity (new name - Garden Organic) at Ryton as an environmental economist seven years ago. He has been working on research projects with various UK Universities (including Warwick University’s organic research facility at Warwick HRI Wellesbourne). He is also visiting Professor for Organic Farming at Bolzano University, Italy.

http://www.cafescientifique.org/leamington_spa.htm

Low Carbon Day

2009-01-19T07:18:00.000-08:00

LOW CARBON LEAMINGTON EVENT

Saturday 31st January, 2009 - 10 am – 1.00 pm

Wolseley’s Sustainable Building Center, Harrison Way (Spa Park)
Leamington Spa CV31 3HH

Confused by how you can make a contribution to a more sustainable future? Not sure what are the best ways of reducing your carbon footprint?

Leamington Spa is working towards being a Transition Town – a place where all its residents are less reliant on oil and other scarce and increasingly expensive resources. To achieve this it is important that everyone in our community is aware of the sustainable alternatives that are readily available and affordable.

Royal Leamington Spa Town Council has joined with Wolseley, the UK’s leading distributor of plumbing and heating products and a major supplier of construction materials, to provide an opportunity for everyone to see the various energy efficient products now available and obtain advice on how to use these to maximise energy conservation and financial saving. Fittingly this event will be held at Wolseley’s Sustainable Building Center at Spa Park. This
exemplar building is a UK first and showcases the latest sustainable products and renewable technologies in their working environment, all of which are available now, through Wolseley’s nationwide branch network.

Go along to their “Low Carbon Leamington” day on Saturday 31st January between 10 am and 3 pm to find out more.

2009-01-08T01:50:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL ROADS ON TOUR 2009

2-DAY WORKSHOP AT GARDEN ORGANIC RYTON, WARWICKSHIRE

Sat 4^th - Sun 5^TH APRIL 2009, 9.30-5.30pm

“CONSCIOUS GARDENING AND THE POWER OF LOVE”

Spiritual author and teacher Michael J. Roads makes his only stop in the UK on his European tour 2009. With a huge following on the continent, Michael is now being discovered in his homeland.

During this 2-day seminar, Michael will take participants on a journey through his own experiences of communicating with nature to the realisation of consciousness connecting with love. The seminar will be a combination of talks and experiential inner-exercises.

It is also possible to attend for 1 day.

Cost: Full 2-day seminar £110, 1-day: £60

(Includes tea and coffee. Organic lunch may be purchased separately at Garden Organic’s restaurant and coffee shop.)

For bookings and further information please contact Julia Wright, email: jwright@bananahill.net Tel. 01926 316962

****PLACES LIMITED****

See Michael’s website: www.michaelroads.com

2009 Burn's Night Ceilidh!

2009-01-08T01:24:00.000-08:00

A special message from one of our members, Steven, who is organising this year's Burn's night ceilidh:

'It's a special year for Burns' night in 2009 as it is the 250th anniversary of the great bard's birth!

For this read "even bigger excuse than usual for ceilidh fun and extreme spinning"

Details below of the Burns' Night ceilidh in Leamington on the night of the 24th January and tickets available in advance from Steven at stevenahunt@hotmail.com or call on 07811 127741 to arrange.

Dress-code – anything you like, but a flash (or more) of tartan encouraged!

Hope to see you there!'

Participation Culture, Creativity & Social Change video

2008-12-19T06:28:00.000-08:00

One of our members forwarded on the below link to a great lecture by David Gauntlett on YouTube. Although it's 10 minutes long, I really would recommend watching it - from a Popular Media perspective, he explains very simply what we, as individuals, can do to make a difference to both social and environmental issues that affect each and every one of us today.

Just click on the green starfish below...


Participation culture, creativity, and social change David Gauntlett's inaugural lecture, 'Participation culture, creativity, and social change', from 12 November 2008: the key themes in ten minutes
© 2008 YouTube, LLC

Welcome to the Vegblog!

2008-12-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

Well, through the encouragement of a number of different members, here we are, nearing our 18 month anniversary, and Canalside has its very own blog!
Through this blog we're hoping to bring you more regular updates from the field, more general information on what else is happening on the project, as well as pointing you in some interesting recipe directions and connecting you with other schemes, projects, petitions and events that are happening out there in both the world of veg growing and eating and wider sustainability campaigns.
You also get to share your voice with us and other members, by commenting on anything you read. We look forward to reading any of your comments and/or suggestions - we always love to hear what you're thinking, so don't be shy!
Well, the Winter newsletter beckons, and a whole lot of recipe inspiration for the festive period, so that's it for now.
Wishing you all warm winter blessings, and cosy evenings filled with much fire and feasting!